#WelcomeJesus

What if we stood still on the first of the month and invited Jesus into our city?

What if we physically opened up our front doors and said aloud, "Jesus, You are most welcomed here?"

The purpose of this call to prayer is to simply, yet deliberately, welcome Jesus into our cities.

Onto our streets. Down the alleyways. Into the train stations.

Surrounding the hospital beds. Over the schools and universities. Into our churches and cul-de-sacs.

Throughout city hall and prison cells.

Into the broad spaces and down to the dark places. 

Will you join us?

It's not a church that's doing this or a ministry.

It's City-dwellers. Citizens. Children.

All who believe with faith the size of a mustard seed.

Here's how this all began...

I love blank pages...especially when I get a sense from His Spirit that He's speaking and I should listen...

For three consecutive days, my birthday being one of them, I found myself downtown on Market Street for a variety of reasons. I sensed oppression in a strong way.

I saw a business woman dancing provocatively in her pencil skirt and satin blouse. She did so in an open area while business people ate outdoors. She began to remove some clothing.

A clean shaven man with dress pants and a Valet parking jacket was staggering drunk in front of the transit stations blocking the entrance.

A barely dressed person was escorted out of Target, in front of me and our oldest, as three teenagers made fun of the situation by posting on social media. Later, we saw this person being arrested in front of Old Navy.

I've got personal stories to add and those of friends who are battling as well.

I write this not to sound like a debbie-downer, but to be reminded that we are more than conquerors in Christ. That God loves this city and the people of this city are made in His image. God calls on us to be Light. To pray for the city. You know all of this though.

 I was listening to a testimony from a man who sings with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. He shared about his life on the streets of Manhattan and the voices that he would hear at nighttime. He got really sick and checked himself into a hospital, preferring to die there than on the streets. While there, he remembered hearing someone say the Name of Jesus one day while walking past him. In that moment, he said the Name of Jesus for the very first time. "Jesus, save me. You're my only hope." In that moment, he knows that God showed up and healed him and rescued him.

What if we were the ones that began to speak the Name of Jesus on Market Street? In our neighborhoods? Around our offices?

For us in San Francisco, we've had a bit of rain that seems somewhat unseasonably early as it usually comes in late October and early November. It's been so refreshing to see the rain fall. I believe God has sent it as a reminder that in the midst of barrenness and lostness, that He is present and purifying us and wiping hearts clean and reminding me of His nearness. For only God can send the rain. Only God can break through darkness. Only God can save and restore and heal.

Could it be that we welcome Jesus into our city the 1st of every month? We open our front doors and say Jesus, You are welcomed here? We gather in the city center and speak His Name?

He is at work. Most definitely. Roots of believers are becoming attached below the earth. We're linking arms more than ever before. I'm so breathtakingly grateful for you. Whether you are in this city or that city.

How this will go...

Set your alarm for Tuesday, November 1 at noon PST/3 EST/2 CST/1 MST.

I will use social media for its good to remind us and lead us.

Open your front doors and invite Jesus to come in.

"Jesus, You are most welcomed in this place."

Stop where you are in Target or the office kitchen or behind your desk.

"Jesus, You are most welcomed here."

Put your hand over your heart and invite Jesus to come in and have His way.

"Jesus, You are most welcomed here."

Gather with some friends in an oppressive place in your city. Outside the doors of your church. In a park with other moms and kids and declare,

"Jesus, You are most welcomed here."

Hold hands with your spouse {if you're together at this time} and say over your marriage,

"Jesus, You are most welcomed among us."

Grab hold of those arrows of yours {your children} maybe as you do homework or as they nap and declare,

"Jesus, You are most welcomed here."

Walk around the courthouse and city hall and government buildings and voting precincts and say,

"Jesus You are most welcomed here."

The Scriptures to claim...

"Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem." Psalm 122.2

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem {your city}! 'May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.' For the sake of my brothers {family} and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good." Psalm 122:6-9

For the sake of our church. For the sake of our families. We will pray for peace in our city walls.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty - he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10

A call to believers to usher in His presence.

To open the gates and invite the King to come in.

Then let God do what He wants to do. Keep a watchful eye and be utterly amazed.

For we pray to no one ordinary. God is Jehovah. He is Almighty. He has all control on heaven and earth. Everything is under His command. He is Messiah. He is the King of all kings.

Be His instrument this month. Be His mouthpiece. Be His hands and feet.

Invite others...

Will you open your front doors at noon? Will you gather with some friends to pray in a certain area of your town or city?

Leave a comment with the city or town that you are praying for on Tuesday, November 1.

Then post a picture that day of your city, place your pray, your front door.

Use the hashtag #WelcomeJesus